Locking device for automobile-wheels



A. M. CUMMINGS. LOCKING DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILE WHEELS.

I APPLICATION FILED AUG-23, 1919. 1,390,674.

Patented Sept. 13,

a vwentoz tem as UNITED STATES PATENT OFF L OCKIN G DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILE-WHEELS ICE;

iltiSS To (1 whom it"m a y concern.

Be it known that I, ARTHUR citizen of the United States, residing at Aberdeen, in the county of Harford and the tread of the tire, andprevents it from rolling along the ground. It has been found, however, that where these devices were used on wheels equipped with pneu lnatic tires, a thief or miscreant would sometimes deflate the tire, thus loosening th'elocltmg device, and would then turn it partly around so as to bring the enlargement to one side of the tread. By again inflating the the, it. was then possible for the wheel to M. Continues,

rotate sufficiently to enable the thief to runthe automobile, and; get away with it.

It is the object of the present invention to so construct such a locking device as to" prevent the tire being deflated as described, and as to render the same absolutely theft-- proof. To this end I provide the locking device with a socket adapted to receive and inclose the inflation valve tube, and positively prevent access thereto.

In order that the invention may be-readily understood, reference is had to the ittlfifill'lr panying drawing, forming part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section through an automobile wheel and pneumatic tire, showing my improved locking device applied thereto, parts being elevation;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of my improved locking device detached;

Fig. 3 is a side or edge elevation thereof;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the device in its open or unlocked position;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section on the line Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept, 13, 1921 Application filed August 23, 1919. Serial No. 319,492. I

5-5 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow; and

Fig. (i is a fragmentary view sin'iiiar to Fig. 1. showing a slightly modified construe tion.

Referring to the drawings in detail, it designates a wheel and B the pneumatic tire, while (l designates the usual valve tube dust cap.

My improved lockingdevice consists oil" the two members 1 and 2 pivoted together at 3 and provided adjacent the pivot *with a beak, spur, or enlargement 4 which is adapted to engage the ground when the locking device is in position,-and thus prevent ro-- tation of: the wheel.

The ineniliiers 1. and 2 are adapted to em brace the tire and rim, as shown in Fig. l, and are brought together at their upper into locking engagement. The inner face of the member 1 is provided with a locking socket, 3, and the other member carries a bolt 7 having a T-shaped head 8 adapted to enter the locking socket. It will hennderstood that the locking socket consists of an elongated slot 6 comn'iunicating with an undercut circular chamber 5. Tlihe head 8 atthe locking bolt 7 is adapted to enter the slot (3 and then be rotated so as to en gage under the adjacent walls of the chain her 5, and thus hold the members 1,9; together.

The bolt 7' is arranged to be rotated by means of a cylinder lock 9 of any suitable Uta (iii

construction, provided with a keyhole lil,

into which fits a key 11.

The upper "portion of the locking device has formed therein a socket 12 adapted to receive and completely inclose the valve tube dust cap U, as shown in Fig. 1. This socket formed by two scmicylindrical recesses in the meeting faces of the members 1, 2..

It will be apparent, therefore, that when the locking device is in position, as shown in Fig. 1, it willbe impossible to turn or shift the same. Moreover, the inflationva'lve tube is entirely concealed and protected so that it cannot be tampered with. By this means, all posssibility of deflation of the tire for the purpose of shifting the locking device is eliminated.

In some cases it may be advisable to form the dust cap C, with ahead or flange c. as

shown in Fig. 6. In this case the chamber or socket 12 formed in the members 1 and 2 will be provided with an annular groove 13 adapted to receive the head or flange 0.

y this construction, radial displacement of the locking device is prevented, even though the tire should be deflated.

What I claim is:

l. A locking device for wheels pneumatic tires, comprising a pair of pivotally connected members adapted to embrace the Wheel rim and tire, said device being provided with a road engaging element and having a socket adapted to completely inclose the inflation valve tube.

2. A locking device for wheels having pneumatic tires comprising a pair of pivotally connected members adapted to embrace the wheel rim and tire, said device having ha ving remove a road engaging element and each member having a recess. said recesses together forming a socket adapted to complcl el v inclose the inflation valve tube.

3. The combination with a wheel having a pneumatic tire and inflation .valve tube. of a duel; cap fitting over said tube and having a flanged head. and a locking device comprising a pair of pivorallv connected members shaped lo embrace the rim and tire, said device carrying a road engaging element and having a socket adapted lo inclose said dust cap said socket being pro vided with an internal annular groove adapt ed to receive the flanged head of lhe dusi, cap.

in testimon whereof l allix my signature. 

